Deputy leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner rolled into Carlisle today on her battle bus.
Accompanied by Emily Thornberry, Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales, they met with the city’s candidate for the party, Julie Minns, and supporters at Harraby Community Centre.
As Ms Rayner stepped out of the bus in the car park, the sun began to shine and she spoke to the crowd.
Wearing a cream jacket, black trousers and platform trainers, Ms Rayner said it was time for change and reiterated Labour’s pledge that it would always put the country before the party.
Speaking after meeting and chatting to supporters at the event, Ms Rayner said they were not taking every vote for granted because the election was not in the bag.
She said they had a large defeat in 2019 and added: “We were very clear the party needed to change and we’ve done that work in the Labour Party and now we are a party that is outwardly looking, we will always put country before party and we are a party that is serious about governing because we have seen the chaos under the Conservatives.”
She was also presented with a hamper of Carlisle goodies by Ms Minns.
However, as she was meeting canvassers and other Labour members, including Cumberland Council leader Mark Fryer, the heavens opened and she was hustled back on to the bus.
Cumbria Crack was among the media present and we were led to the back of the big coach to meet Ms Rayner, who was sitting alongside a needlepoint cushion with her first name on.
Time was tight – her tour began in the North East this morning and was travelling to other parts of the North West this afternoon – so we asked her what she thought of Carlisle.
Laughing, she said: “Well it seems to have every bit of weather in 20 minutes!” She added that she knew Carlisle as when she worked for Unison it was part of her region.
She added that securing the economy, tackling NHS waiting lists and improving schools were among Labour’s priorities.
She added: “It’s a great place. The way in which the community comes together, despite it being quite rural, it is a real community spirit.
“Our candidate here, Julie, she is absolutely fantastic. She’s local, she has run a business, she has been a single mum, she’s a real inspiration and to me typifies the hard-working nature of people across Carlisle.”
Ms Thornberry said: “I am here in Carlisle to support a fantastic candidate in a seat which we hope is going to go Labour.”
As the bus left the community centre Ms Minns said: “It’s been fantastic and there was a great turnout from members and supporters. They were really enthusiastic which was very much matching the enthusiasm and warmth we are getting on the doorstep across Carlisle.
“The campaign is really going well, we are getting a very positive response from voters, not just here in the city as we are up and about in the rural areas as well and there is a real sense that something has got to change at this election.
“We are speaking to lifelong Conservatives who are really angry at what has happened, and they want that change.”
We asked about the dental desert in Carlisle and what Labour planned to do about addressing the issue of people not being able to register with an NHS dentist.
She said: “It’s not just Carlisle as a rural area, it is up and down the country. We pledge to increase NHS appointments. Wes Streeting [Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care] has a laser focus on this issue.”
The meet and greet was disrupted by two to three campaigners who unfurled a Palestine flag and began shouting that they were disappointed in Labour – and leader Kier Starmer’s response to the Israel-Palestine war.
Ms Rayner told them: “We’re not in government yet.”
After Ms Rayner returned to the bus, Liberal Democrat candidate Brain Wernham turned up in a car with Liberal Democrat stickers on it. He wound down the window and shouted: “Here’s my battle bus Angela!”
Candidates standing for the Carlisle constituency so far are:
- John Stevenson – The Conservative Party
- Julie Minns – The Labour Party
- Brian Wernham – Liberal Democrats
- Stephen Ward – Reform UK
- Gavin Hawkton – The Green Party
- Rachel Hayton – SDP
